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This resort is the best place for the entire family

Dianne Newcomer
Published 11:12 a.m. CT April 7, 2018

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Scuba divers joined the so-called Harlem Shake dance craze with an underwater performance. About a dozen divers gathered in the resort city of Cancun to perform the popular dance that has gone viral on the web. (March 5)
AP

Been dreaming of a great family vacation? Are you getting tired of just seeing your kids or grandchildren--as well as everyone else you know-- via the little screen you hold in your hand? Have you been wondering how to change that?

Well, not to worry, as your friendly local travel agent, I have the perfect solution. Why not call Monroe Travel Service and let us plan an unforgettable family vacation that is sure to have everyone putting down their phones and making special memories to last a lifetime?

I know it works, because Rob and I just returned from such an amazing spring break trip with our own family that I wanted to share it with you, but let me tell you right up front: it only happened because we dreamed big. For the very first time ever, all of our grandkids--ages 7,10,13,and 16--had the same week off, so the always difficult problem of choosing a date when everyone was free was easily solved this time.

Since this trip was our gift to them, the second problem in planning a family vacation--the budget-- was a moot point. Lastly, when thinking of a family vacation, it is always important to make them an offer they can't refuse. There needs to be something for everyone to enjoy to make the trip an easy no-excuse-not-to-go event. This decision did not come easy. With so many wonderful family resorts scattered throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico, we struggled to find the perfect place until we discovered airfare from New Orleans to Cancun for only $250 round trip.

The hunt was over; another piece of the puzzle, the destination choice, had fallen into place. Where to stay in Cancun was never a problem; from past client feedback we knew that answer, and the DREAMS PLAYA MUJERES GOLF & SPA RESORT very quickly became our resort of choice. It did not disappoint; the resort proved to be the dream come true we expected.

The minute we entered the private gates of this stunning beachfront resort located in the community of Playa Mujeres, it was obvious. A simple "wow" was all our 7 year old grandson, Jude, could say as we all stood in the lobby and overlooked the wide expanse of pools, manicured grounds, and beautiful turqoise sea spread out before us. "Wow" described it perfectly in my book, too!

Most all of the rooms at the DREAMS are junior suite--600 square feet with a nice roomy bathroom--and a hot tub (basically a jacuzzi tub) on the balcony. Our daughter's family of 5 never once complained about the room size, but, for those desiring extra space, the resort does have a wide selection of accommodations, including 2 bedroom villas.

Although each of our rooms was beautifully decorated and spacious, what we all loved about the resort was what it had to offer, and, since the DREAMS is an all inclusive (ie: all meals, drinks, entertainment, taxes, and tips are all prepaid), it was ours to enjoy whenever and however we wanted--no limits!

Everyone quickly found their leisure pleasure. Whether it was relaxing on one of Cancun's finest white sandy beaches or enjoying the resort's water paradise (all 65,000 square feet of the resort's 3 tiered pool levels including 2 infinity pools), the art of doing nothing--except wiping our mental slates clean--was soon mastered. Renewing our energy level, forgetting about the to-do lists of back home, and enjoying a margarita or two delivered by beach butlers, while watching the kids swim, sunbathe, build sand castles, or run back and forth to the ice cream shop completed our daily agendas.

On vacation, sometimes, the less you do, is better, but, someone forgot to convey that message to the 3 hyper active young boys who were in our family group. Luckily for us, the DREAMS has a plan for that, too. On-site, the resort has a super-duper dual water slide which sends kids racing down a twisting tube at mach speed as a source of entertainment. In addition, to the slide, there is also a fun interactive waterpark and an excellent kids program designed for all age levels, which was very active into the wee hours of the evening enabling parents to enjoy themselves too!

Our 3 grandsons particularly appreciated the video game room, basketball court, batting cages, Euro-bungee jumping, darts, archery, beach football, para-sailing, snorkeling, and group activities specific to their age available to them. Meanwhile, our 16 year granddaughter was especially lucky, because a large group of 54 high school seniors from a private school in St. Louis were enjoying a spring break/graduation trip with their parents, and they very quickly added her into their fun.

As it turned out, this beautiful all- inclusive resort was a great--and very safe way--for everyone to be together. It was also big enough to allow each family their own private time, too. I will confess, we had planned to take the kids to Isla Mujeres (about 20 minutes away by ferry), rent golf carts and let them explore the island. We had also talked about a deep sea fishing trip, going cave tubing or zip lining, or spending a day at XelHa. As a destination, this area has so much to offer.

Yet, no one wanted to leave the resort (not even for the free golfing included in our stay). Luckily, for the grandkids, the DREAMS does have an excellent dolphin habitat located right on their beach, so the kids did get to experience a very special dolphin encounter together. What a great memory for the cousins to share, because, as far as memories go, don't we always tend to remember the good things?

In a world of hustle and bustle, it is so easy to forget the importance of showing how much we care for and appreciate each other on a daily basis. Technology is great for keeping us in touch as a family, but there is nothing like "invading" each others' space and having the time to re-connect. For our family, our trip to the DREAMS PLAYA MUJERES was a perfect escape.

"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children” is a quote from Charles Swindoll that I love. Rob and I figure we may not leave our kids very much they can put in the bank, but we do plan to deposit as much as we can-- for as long as we can-- in their memory banks. Letting them see and experience the amazing world beyond the Ouachita is a part of the hopes and dreams we have for them.

If you are ready to unplug and make some unforgettable family memories, we have all sorts of dream destinations from Costa Rica to New York City, you name it. Just give Monroe Travel Service at 318 323 3465 a call, and let's get started, because, let's face it, kids are like ice cream. They are gone before you know it!